What we know about Technology needs for the nex+gen Academy Learning Studios


Teacher/facilitator

Knows: (what we know we need to be successful)
  • accessibility to new portal online for all resources/materials
  • accessibility to assessments
  • allow for "above & beyond" teaching expectations
  • web 2.0
  • teachers will need to be teachers not "tech coordinators"
  • resources accessible for the entire group
  • portability
  • full accessibility - not just as school
  • communication-remote troubleshooting
  • access to new portal
  • LANDesk
  • VPN for access from home
  • Ensure hard drive space will not be an issue
  • High performance lab or virtualization and streaming
  • Ability to manage projectors & materials 10g backbone 1g to desktop- 100g bandwidth
  • Google docs and some storage at district level
  • On-line training materials for applications
  • MS office license
  • remote desktop

School: (what we know we need to be successful)
  • ease of use for students
  • ability to communicate emergency messages to students
  • teachers in their own collaborative studios-Teacher centers
  • Upgrading wireless connections - 500 mg
  • workable studios/classrooms
  • on-line training materials (applications)
  • current environment - shared servers-
  • remote desktop
  • centralized access to shared resources
  • one tool for students to utilize
  • nex+gen will use google Apps in partnership with local storage for shared usage among students
  • active directory accounts for students
  • battery life for each laptop-future proofing each classroom


Student:
  • Certification for students? PDF/Adobe
  • ability to take home laptop
  • active directory accounts for students
  • responsibility for student for take-home laptop


Need to knows: (what we need to know/clarify to be successful)
  • what type of laptop is needed for all functionality of a nex+gen student? right tools for the student-content solutions, high-def sound, graphics, etc.
  • net books -the right media capability? Photoshop? Illustrator?
  • Performance vs. product
  • Certification for students?
  • Ability to work on projects from home if students would not be able to come to school due to H1N1 virus for example
  • more durable product for long term usage?
  • rigor vs. need for performance in the product
  • pebl upgrade to open source - moodle - PBL tool (Chris)
  • what is the ownership for students? parents? for take home laptop

Next steps:
· partner with Jeff (TIG) work together regarding technology needs vs. budget
· collaboratively work on the need for technology for students to be successful in the classroom
· how can we be a resource/model for the district
· Wireless networking? Subscription needs
· how does everything tie into the type of experience we want the student to have?
· Understand what software is available for streaming, storage and capability?
· Experience we want vs. budget (partner with TIG)
· Downtime for students who have laptop issues?
· Internet access for students outside of school?
· Purchase insurance on each laptop
· Allow for customized programs? Move to a cloud environment?
· Responsibility for student? Parent? on take home laptops
· Reach out to community partners, APS board, etc.
· Leasing possibilities, network capability
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